Be Your Own Cheerleader

I love skiing. One of the best gifts my mom ever gave me growing up was the seasons pass at our local ski hills. My mom, being a widow, made sure every penny was carefully spent. She still managed to buy passes for my brother and me. I enjoyed hours playing in the snow with my friends, breaking bones and learning to absolutely love winter.

I gave up downhill skiing after moving to Alaska. I am spoiled after years of skiing around the lower 48. Alaska's choices left me underwhelmed. But I took up Nordic skiing and found a bigger, cheaper and more wonderful world.

My goal this year was to ski the Tour of Anchorage 25 km race. A skier friend of mine assured me I could do it. I began training and planning in earnest this season. The goal of the distance got me out on days when I could have convinced myself to stay in. And the accomplishment of the goal on Sunday felt amazing!

Steve came home from work the other day discussing a workshop he had attended. They discussed business goals, something of which I admit I do not have. Well, I told Steve my goal was to keep painting. He, with rolled eyes, told me that wasn't really a true business goal.

He's right, setting goals help us reach out when we normally would be content to continue with the same ole same ole. I set a goal for creating my first children's book and through all the sweat, tears (literally) and work, that goal kept me on task. The book is beautiful and I am proud to present it.

I will be thinking about my goals for the future as I play in the newly fallen 12 inches of snow. I hope you set some goals for yourself. The success at the end feels amazing.